In a pivotal move towards enhancing international co-operation and fostering economic development, a South African delegation from the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) recently participated in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Conference held in Russia from November 9 to 10.
The delegation, comprised of Kenny Mathye from Ponontle Business Solutions, Amon Moagi from Sovereign Congress of African Leaders, and Funeka Nyaqela of Kariba Lake Consulting, played a crucial role in representing South Africa's interests and seeking potential investment opportunities.
SANTACO, an integral part of the Project of International Municipal Cooperation among BRICS countries, aims to become a catalyst for development and cooperation at the municipal level within the BRICS nations.
The event served as a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas among participating countries, with a core mission of establishing an economic platform that brings together investment projects from the municipalities of the BRICS nations. SANTACO, represented by its President, Motlhabane Tsebe, took centre stage in presenting its vision and long-term plans to over 60 countries attending the conference.
SANTACO's involvement aimed to attract both direct and indirect investments, engaging with various countries and enticing foreign investors to explore opportunities in South Africa. “One of our primary objectives was to showcase SANTACO's SWOT analysis, providing potential investors with insights into the organisation's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats,”- said Nyaqela.
The focus was on attracting funding for vital projects within the municipalities, such as the construction of hotels, sports complexes and other infrastructure developments. Tsebe held private meetings with different investors during the conference, aiming for the collaborative potential between SANTACO and international stakeholders.
Key sectors of interest included the petroleum industry, public transport applications, brake pad manufacturing, and bitumen production. Notably, investors have already expressed their readiness to invest in Africa. Several signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) during the conference, with Kgabo Cars, a training college based in Soshanguve, near Pretoria, securing agreements with interested investors.
The MOUs, designed in collaboration with St. Petersburg University, marks a significant step forward in promoting collaboration between South Africa and Russia. Nyaqela stated that as a testament to the growing interest in South Africa's taxi industry, a delegation from the BRICS countries is scheduled to visit the SA in December to engage further with SANTACO's leadership.
The focus will be on exploring opportunities within the taxi industry, particularly in the mini and midi taxi and public transport sectors. Given Russia's advanced infrastructure facilities and development, this collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the transformation of South Africa's taxi industry.
North West Province is poised to benefit substantially from this international cooperation, with investors expressing interest in the development of aviation and cargo hubs within the region. Tsebe's representation at the conference extends beyond SANTACO to encompass the collective interests of all nine provinces in South Africa.
The South African delegation's participation in the BRICS conference in Russia has laid the groundwork for robust economic ties and collaborative ventures. As the nation looks forward to the delegation's return in December and subsequent engagements with international investors, the potential for transformative development and mutually beneficial partnerships appears promising for both the North West Province and South Africa.
